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File for bankruptcy for yourself (from 1 April 2022)

Check if you can apply to make yourself a bankrupt and understand the process. The application will be known as a debtor's bankruptcy application.

Note

Who can be declared a bankrupt

You must meet both of these criteria to be declared a bankrupt:

You owe a debt of $15,000 or more and are unable to repay the amount.
You satisfy at least one of the following conditions ⁽¹⁾
- You are domiciled in Singapore. This means you treat Singapore as your permanent home.
- You have property in Singapore.
- You have, at any time within the period of 1 year immediately before the date of the application, been ordinarily resident or has had a place of residence in Singapore.
- You have, at any time within the period of 1 year immediately before the date of the application, carried on business in Singapore.

File for bankruptcy for yourself step-by-step

This is the process to make yourself a bankrupt. You are the debtor. The party to whom you owe money is the creditor.

You are filing a debtor's bankruptcy application.

Before filing

Understand what bankruptcy means

Consider the consequences of and alternatives to bankruptcy before you proceed.

What it means to be a bankrupt (from 1 April 2022)

When filing

File an application

Find out the documents, fees and process to file an application for a bankruptcy order.

How to file for bankruptcy for yourself (from 1 April 2022)

After filing

Attend court

You must attend a court hearing where a registrar will hear the case and make a decision. This may be a bankruptcy order or other orders.

Attend a bankruptcy hearing as a debtor

After an order is made

Appeal, if needed

In some cases, you may file an appeal against a decision by the court.

Appeal against a court decision in a bankruptcy case

2021/07/23

Resources

Legislation associated with this topic include:

The Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution Act, particularly Parts 13 to 22.
The Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution (Personal Insolvency) Rules.
The Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution (Debt Repayment Scheme) Regulations.
The Insolvency, Restructuring and Dissolution (Voluntary Arrangements) Regulations.

Refer to Part 19 of the Supreme Court Practice Directions 2021.

Related questions

Yes. If you want to file a debtor's bankruptcy application against your firm, all of the following criteria must apply:

Your firm must be unable to repay debts of $15,000 or more.
At least one of the partners in the firm fulfils at least one of the following criteria:
- Is domiciled in Singapore. (This means they treat Singapore as their permanent home.
- Has property in Singapore.
- Has, at any time within the period of 1 year immediately before the date of the application, been ordinarily resident or has had a place of residence in Singapore.
The firm has, at any time within the period of 1 year immediately before the date of the application, carried on business in Singapore.
The application is made against the firm and all partners of the firm.

Note: A firm and a company are different legal entities. For information on insolvency cases for companies, find out more about company winding up.

Footnote

⁽¹⁾ Section 310(1) of the IRDA

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